Why doesn't SFX offer trades into some resorts?

[daileyad Member Find all posts View Profile Close daileyad]

Specifically, I don't see Beaches Sandy Bay or Harborside at Atlantis in the directory. Unless the directory just doesn't list all available exchanges?

[eal Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close eal]

Mark hasn't gotten back to you yet, and I'm sure he will provide more detail, but my experience has been that the "directory" of SFX resorts is more of a sample of the types of places they typically get rather than a comprehensive list. What is available largely depends on what customers deposit.

[falmouth3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close falmouth3]

I was waiting for the expert answer from Mark, but he appears to be away from his desk at the moment.

The directory on the SFX website is not acomplete list of what they will accept or what they can get for you. They have access to a number of resorts that are not listed and they will accept resorts that are not on the list. They have a smaller member population so they do not have access to the large pool of resorts and weeks that some of the other exchange companies do, based on deposits for exchange. However, they do have methods to get some weeks.

I have direct experience in this. I needed a 2 BR in Las Vegas to bring my mother there for her 80th birthday. Apparently they didn't have anything immediately available when I called. They asked me what I would accept and within an hour, they had an appropriate exchange available for me.

My suggestion would be to put in a request for one of those weeks - or call and ask if there was any chance at all of getting such a week.

Good luck.

Sue

[Mark @SFX Industry Representative Find all posts View Profile Close Mark @SFX]

Specifically, I don't see Beaches Sandy Bay or Harborside at Atlantis in the directory. Unless the directory just doesn't list all available exchanges?

Daileyad - thank you for your post. That is an excellent question I will be happy to respond to.

The SFX business model is different to the mainstream exchange companies. We only specialize in the higher end of the spectrum, typically Gold Crown and 5 Star rated resorts. Most timeshare properties do not have this rating, therefore most timeshare resorts do not qualify for our network.

A higher consistency of quality is an attractive value-proposition for Owners of high quality resorts, and thus the attraction to use SFX (as well as lower fees than the other companies).

With regards to the two properties you mention... The resort in Jamaica doesn't meet our rating criteria. Harborside at Atlantis certainly does. However, the reason that property is not listed is, although we do receive deposits from members, the fact is most people who own at that resort use it rather than trade out. If Owners are not trading out, it then becomes extremely difficult for others to trade in.

At one time we did list the property in our directory and accordingly there were many requests for just that property with very little availability. (Which all exchange companies experience for this resort). Although Harborside is a qualified resort with SFX, we felt is was more prudent to remove the listing to avoid so many people requesting that specific resort only, and going through the disappointment and frustration of no availability for their specific dates to stay at the resort.

Although you can request a specific resort, we do our best to encourage Members to excersize "reasonable flexibility" in their exchange requests, as the timeshare exchange business model is centered on "Flexibility".

Hope this helps...

Thanks,
Mark @sfx
Member Communications

[daileyad Member Find all posts View Profile Close daileyad]

With regards to the two properties you mention... The resort in Jamaica doesn't meet our rating criteria.

Thanks for all the responses to my question. I can understand why Harborside isn't listed now. I'm still wondering though, Mark, does this mean that I could not request the jamaican property even with the understanding that it's quality level is lower?

[Mark @SFX Industry Representative Find all posts View Profile Close Mark @SFX]

Thanks for all the responses to my question. I can understand why Harborside isn't listed now. I'm still wondering though, Mark, does this mean that I could not request the jamaican property even with the understanding that it's quality level is lower?

Daileyad - thank you for your reply. You most certainly can request a resort that is "less-than" Gold Crown or 5 star rated with us, on the condition you are willing to accept it if we find a match.

We would like to point out, just because a resort doesn't have a Gold Crown or 5 Star rating, does not mean it is an undesirable property. In many instances there is a very "thin line" between resorts with those designated high ratings, and those that do not.

Also, many of these "almost" GC and 5 star properties are in great locations, and more importantly will provide you and your family an overall great vacation experience.

Hope this helps...

Thanks,
Mark @sfx
Member Communications